October 30 - November 2, 2018 Firearms, Militaria, & Sporting
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/30/2018
Cal. 70. 59" overall, 45-1/2" bbl with "P" / small eagle head / "V" on left breech and "US" on top of bbl. There is also a large punch mark below the "V" of unknown meaning. The earliest of Springfield 1795 muskets have several distinct characteristics exhibited by this gun, including distinctive upright drooped wing eagle above script "US" forward of cock and "SPRINGFIELD" in arc at tail. Brass front blade sight on front band. Muzzle extension is 2-3/4". Faceted horizontal pan not integral with lockplate. Convex cock screw head, trigger with high supporting web seen only on the earliest production Type 1, pre-1799 muskets. There is no bbl or buttplate date and less than 3,000 guns were produced 1795 to 1798. There is no inspector mark in stock opposite lock, but there is a small "IC" stamped in stock rear of trigger guard. There is also a 3-3/4" brand on right side of stock just forward of lock "MARYLAND". This identical brand has been seen on a few other muskets in same place and size, but this is the only pre-1800 US Armory "MARYLAND" gun we are aware of and it would be difficult if not impossible to upgrade. CONDITION: Very good overall. This is among the nicest examples this cataloger has ever seen of this pre-1799 pattern much less with rare state markings. This gun appears complete, orig and authentic with crisp markings. Metal is dark grey/plum overall. Stock is sound and solid with well disguised crack repair at wrist. Mechanics are crisp with smooth clean bore.
Caliber/Bore
.70 Smoothbore